It was my mom’s birthday this past weekend, prescription so I took it upon myself to explore the farmer’s market that morning to find some culinary inspiration for dinner that night. Strolling through the stalls in Jackson Heights, I found myself drawn to a plastic carton spilling with curly garlic scapes. I had never cooked with scapes before, but before I could second guess myself, I impulsively purchased two big handfuls and was on my way home.

While garlic scapes closely resemble beans or scallions, they’re actually shoots of the garlic plant. As for their taste, they have a milder, sweeter garlic flavor than garlic itself. If you eat it raw, you may get a minor case of garlic breath that lasts until the next morning, but it’s a small price to pay for a unique taste that is only in season for a short time.